Vonage not active in Dubai, U.A.E. Probable ISP block.

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 11

Thanks Intrasemi for the TECOM number. I just called them and spoke to Prashant who said that Etisalat had blocked voice chatting and that it should be working again in a weeks time. He said that they will call all their customers when its up and running again - which i highly doubt.

I'll continue calling but I have one question -- what do you guys say when calling to complain? I said SKPE wasn't working ..and he agreed by saying "yea all voice chats aren't working". I was too scared to say "my Vonage isn't working"!!

Posts: 86 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 86

vixen, just tell them openly that Vonage is not working.

this isn't the rest of the uae.. you are allowed to use Vonage, skype, yahoo, aim, msn voice.. etc.. there are no limitations here.

at least.. theres not supposed to be.. i called again this morning.. same ol' story.

Posts: 24 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 15, 2006 Posts: 24

thanks for updates folks

I called Tecom this morning. Its pretty obvious the customer reps are not clued up - or its the luck of the draw who you speak to.

I ended speaking to the shift supervisor who was equally frustrated with this this problem. However, he had no idea what was the cause of the block. This was a change in the story as previously they have blamed Etisalat

I told him it really was not a difficult problem to solve. They have Cisco based routers - and can immediately identify the source of the problem. They can even called Cisco in if they are stuck as I am sure their service level agreements have this built it. He laughed as this and it was clear they have not got a clue

In any case, he said there is some sort of letter today from their management in Gulf TImes. I haven't seen this yet - has anyone had chance to read this?

thanks

Posts: 86 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 86

*yawn* quiet boring day

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 19, 2006 Posts: 6

I have had much reassurance reading all the postings. Etisalat protects its monopoly, yet it lobbies other governments to open up theirs, so it may participate in providing services.

As of yesterday, I noticed that even Skype is blocked - operationally. I have a better idea, I think Etisalat should just block the entire Internet and force people to go back in time. They have practically most of it blocked now in form of censorship or port filtering. Who would think that the day has come when we are looking to more progressive countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who allow Voip.

Shame on Etisalat and if you are an employee spying on this site (yes, they do), shame on you for supporting them. Keep the pressure on - for those of you in the non-DIC areas, please call Eitsalat at least once a day and complain about this issue. 800-

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

I get this feeling that Tecom AND etisalat are just kind of waiting it out, to see if the complaints die down!

WE ARE IN A FREEZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH!

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 10

Ring 390 5555 (DIC) every so often to keep up the pressure

Posts: 86 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 86

someone should try calling.. i called this time and they wouldn't give me an update until i gave my customer info.

some lady gave the same b.s. story "it is under progress"

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

calling now

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 59

"Which villa #?"

I gave cluster #...

"Just hold on sir"

holding...

"thank you for holding, someone will call you back within 30 mins"

i will wait....